Senior Operations Director – Logistics & Supply Chain

Location: Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, with travel to other sites required
Salary: €120,000–€135,000 per annum + benefits
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

The Opportunity

An established organisation within the Irish logistics and supply chain sector is seeking an experienced Senior Operations Director to lead and transform its multi-site logistics operation.

This is a senior leadership appointment with responsibility for warehousing, distribution and transport operations across multiple locations. Reporting into the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will play a key role in shaping operational strategy, improving performance and developing the business's operational capabilities for future growth.

The organisation is looking for a proven leader who has done more than manage day-to-day operations. You will have a track record of delivering meaningful operational transformation, implementing new technologies, improving productivity and driving measurable commercial results.

Direct, hands-on management experience within a third-party logistics (3PL) environment is essential. Candidates must be able to demonstrate experience managing logistics operations and delivering services to external customers.

The Role

Based in Rathcoole, Dublin, you will lead operational performance across a complex, multi-site network, with regular travel to other locations required.

Your focus will be on reviewing and improving existing operating models, identifying opportunities for automation and process optimisation, and ensuring the operation delivers high standards of customer service, efficiency, quality and cost performance.

You will combine strategic direction with practical operational leadership, working closely with site teams, customers and senior stakeholders to deliver sustainable improvements across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership across multi-site warehousing, distribution and transport operations within a 3PL environment.
Lead operational transformation programmes, translating business objectives into measurable improvements.
Review and redesign operating models, workflows and processes to improve productivity, efficiency and service delivery.
Drive automation and digital transformation, including the implementation and optimisation of WMS, TMS and other operational technologies.
Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs, improve resource utilisation and increase profitability without compromising service quality.
Embed a culture of continuous improvement through Lean, Lean Six Sigma or comparable methodologies.
Use operational data, KPIs and performance reporting to identify issues, improve decision-making and track results.
Maintain strong customer relationships, ensuring contractual commitments, service levels and customer expectations are consistently met.
Develop and lead high-performing management teams across multiple sites, building accountability, engagement and succession capability.
Ensure compliance with health and safety, quality, governance and relevant regulatory requirements.
Work collaboratively with senior leadership and key stakeholders to support business growth and long-term operational strategy.
Build the systems, processes and operational capacity required to support future expansion.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be an established logistics or operations leader with a strong track record of managing complex operations, leading sizeable teams and delivering measurable business improvements.

Essential requirements:

Proven, hands-on management experience within a third-party logistics (3PL) or contract logistics operation.
Senior leadership experience at Operations Director, Logistics Director, Head of Operations, General Manager or equivalent level.
Experience managing large-scale, multi-site warehousing, distribution and transport operations.
A demonstrable record of delivering operational transformation, not simply maintaining existing processes.
Direct involvement in automation, digital transformation or the implementation and optimisation of operational systems.
Strong working knowledge of WMS, TMS and related logistics technologies.
Experience redesigning processes, improving operating models and delivering measurable productivity or cost improvements.
Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgetary responsibility, cost control and operational performance management.
Experience leading, developing and engaging sizeable operational and management teams.
Strong customer-facing and stakeholder-management capabilities, particularly within a contract-based service environment.
The flexibility to travel between operational sites as required.

Transformation & Operational Excellence

A central part of this role is the ability to demonstrate tangible, measurable transformation.

You should be able to provide examples of initiatives you have personally led, such as:

Implementing warehouse automation or new operational technologies.
Introducing or optimising WMS and TMS platforms.
Redesigning warehouse layouts, distribution networks or operating models.
Improving labour productivity, throughput, service levels and resource utilisation.
Delivering significant cost savings or profitability improvements.
Leading complex organisational change while maintaining customer service and employee engagement.

Experience with Lean, Lean Six Sigma or other structured continuous improvement approaches would be advantageous.

Leadership Approach

The successful candidate will be a credible, commercially minded and engaging leader who can challenge established practices and bring people with them through change.

You will be comfortable operating at board and executive level while remaining close enough to the operation to identify improvement opportunities, support site leaders and ensure transformation initiatives deliver lasting results.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact leadership position within an established logistics organisation, with the authority to influence operational strategy and shape the next stage of its development.

With a salary of €120,000–€135,000 plus additional benefits, the role offers the opportunity to lead a complex, multi-site operation, deliver meaningful transformation and make a direct contribution to business performance and future growth.

Apply

If you have a strong background in hands-on 3PL operations leadership and a proven track record of transforming complex logistics environments, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

INDCLA